At 24, I married a wealthy 40-year-old widower who had two daughters. I took great care of this family, but the troublesome Leah constantly ostracized me. What was even more unbearable was that my husband Marlene turned out to be a "brother-supporter," raising an exceptional younger brother who was plotting to seize my inheritance...
The first snow of 2018 marked the arrival of winter, plunging the world into a deep freeze. My life mirrored this sudden drop in temperature, spiraling downhill in a way I hadn't expected.
The man I had dated for three years-whom I believed to be my one true love, my destined partner-left me for another woman. She wasn't as attractive as I was, but she came from money, and he didn't hesitate to dump me for her.
Fresh out of college with a degree in accounting, I had finally landed a job after much effort. But three months into my internship, just as I was expecting a permanent offer, my male supervisor hinted that I'd need to "do something extra" to secure the position. Disgusted and fed up, I quit without a second thought.
These two blows-"cheating ex" and "workplace harassment"-were punches I couldn't dodge. They left me bruised, battered, and reeling.
For me, life's hardships came in sudden waves, like stars scattered in the dark skies of chaos.
Walking alone in the snow, with my savings drained, I made a vow to myself, "No more struggling. I'm going to marry rich!"
Two months later, I did exactly that. I had a whirlwind romance with a bank executive I met online, and we got married after just two months of dating.
Oh, right, I should introduce myself. My name was Grace Harper, and my new husband was Alfred Reed.
As for me, despite my humble origins, I'd always carried myself with a certain poise. Years spent devouring books in the library gave me a refined air. At 24, I was in the prime of my youth-elegant, radiant, and exuding a fresh charm.
Alfred, on the other hand, was over forty. His face bore the marks of time and hardship, with deep wrinkles adding years to his already unimpressive appearance. His greasy complexion, protruding belly, and stocky frame made him resemble a pudgy caricature, standing shorter than me to boot.
My friends didn't shy away from teasing me, saying I could have done so much better.
But I didn't care. Alfred was wealthy, had a decent personality, and treated me exceptionally well. During our courtship, he showered me with gifts-a three-bedroom apartment for my parents, a car for me, and lavish displays of affection.
I was content, even grateful. Love wasn't part of the equation, but I had no regrets about marrying him. After all, in the face of financial security, love could step aside.
However, Alfred had kept some things hidden from me. For one, he had two daughters from a previous marriage. These girls-whom he had assured me didn't exist-were very much alive and wreaking havoc in his home.
His excuse? He claimed his first wife, Marlene Atkinson, had died in childbirth, and they had no children together. That latter part, clearly, was a lie.
But deception aside, life had to go on. I moved into Alfred's house, taking on the role of the lady of the house. Complaining or staging dramatic protests about his kids wasn't my style.
The real trouble began when his older daughter decided to put me in my place shortly after the wedding.
The younger one, Luna, only two years old, was a sweet and easygoing child. The elder, Leah, however, was seven and a handful. Having lost her mother, she clung to memories of her and lashed out in grief-fueled defiance.
According to Alfred, Leah had always been difficult-spoiled rotten by his late wife, who indulged her every whim. Over time, she became a bratty, headstrong "little princess."
There was a saying that went, "Some people don't have the life of a princess but still catch the princess syndrome."
That described her perfectly.
I was soft-hearted and conflict-averse, so I didn't dare discipline her. Every time she threw a tantrum, I endured it in silence.
But the first day I visited Alfred's house before our marriage, she made sure to let me know I wasn't welcome.
That day, as I walked through the door, Leah greeted me with a frosty glare. The cheerful expression she'd worn earlier disappeared in an instant, replaced by a look as cold as steel. Her hostility was palpable, but I decided to cut her some slack-she'd lost her mother, after all.
Determined to win her over, I thought, "Kids love sweets. Maybe I'll buy her some treats to break the ice."
So, I went to the nearest grocery store and filled a large bag with goodies: potato chips, cookies, popcorn, and chocolate-everything a child could want.
I returned to her room with great enthusiasm, carrying the bag of snacks. I placed it on her desk, smiling warmly.
She didn't even glance at it. Without a word, she walked to the desk, her small hands reaching the bag. She yanked it off the table with some effort, shuffling across the floor like a small animal struggling with a load far too heavy for it.
Confused, I watched as she dragged the bag out of the room and left it beside the tall trash bin by the front door.
She then attempted to lift the bag and dump it into the bin. To her, however, it was as heavy as a mountain. After several failed attempts, she flew into a fit of rage.
Her small eyes widened into angry orbs, her cheeks flushed bright red, and she began stomping on the bag with both feet. As she jumped and stomped, the sound of the bag ripping and snacks cracking filled the air.
In less than a minute, the entire bag of snacks lay utterly destroyed, a flattened pile of crumbs.
The smile froze on my face, hanging awkwardly for a moment before I regained my composure.
Standing beside me, Alfred scratched the back of his head, visibly embarrassed, and forced a sheepish grin.
I mirrored his awkward smile, moving my lips just enough to appear polite. Seeing my calm reaction, he muttered apologetically, "Leah is... like this. Her mother spoiled her rotten. Don't take it to heart-you'll get used to it. In time, I'm sure she'll warm up to you. She still needs your care, after all. Luna is much better. If you don't believe me, come and meet her."
With that, he led me to meet his younger daughter.
The little one, only two years old, wore a diaper and had her hair styled in a tiny braid. She crawled around aimlessly on the floor, much like a playful kitten.
Noticing a streak of snot running down her small nose, I pulled out a handkerchief and crouched down to gently wipe it off.
Alfred's expression softened into a relieved smile. Seeing how well I got along with his younger daughter, the room seemed to lighten. The harmonious scene soothed his frustration over his eldest daughter's behavior, and his mood visibly improved.
However, Alfred, despite his mild demeanor and unassuming appearance, was not one to let things slide. Practical and sharp, he quickly deduced the fault lay with the nanny.
He turned to the nanny, who had been standing nearby, and scolded her sharply. "What kind of job are you doing? You're supposed to take care of the kids, and you don't even notice when her face is dirty? Is that what I'm paying you for?"
His stern words left the nanny trembling, her face pale with fear.
In order to fulfill her grandfather's last wish, Stella entered into a hasty marriage with an ordinary man she had never met before. However, even after becoming husband and wife on paper, they each led separate lives, barely crossing paths. A year later, Stella returned to Seamarsh City, hoping to finally meet her mysterious husband. To her astonishment, he sent her a text message, unexpectedly pleading for a divorce without ever having met her in person. Gritting her teeth, Stella replied, "So be it. Let’s get a divorce!" Following that, Stella made a bold move and joined the Prosperity Group, where she became a public relations officer that worked directly for the company’s CEO, Matthew. The handsome and enigmatic CEO was already bound in matrimony, and was known to be unwaveringly devoted to his wife in private. Unbeknownst to Stella, her mysterious husband was actually her boss, in his alternate identity! Determined to focus on her career, Stella deliberately kept her distance from the CEO, although she couldn't help but notice his deliberate attempts to get close to her. As time went on, her elusive husband had a change of heart. He suddenly refused to proceed with the divorce. When would his alternate identity be uncovered? Amidst a tumultuous blend of deception and profound love, what destiny awaited them?
Lindsey's fiancé was the devil's first son. Not only did he lie to her but he also slept with her stepmother, conspired to take away her family fortune, and then set her up to have sex with a total stranger. To get her lick back, Lindsey decided to find a man to disrupt her engagement party and humiliate the cheating bastard. Never did she imagine that she would bump into a strikingly handsome stranger who was all that she was currently looking for. At the engagement party, he boldly declared that she was his woman. Lindsey thought he was just a broke man who wanted to leech off her. But once they began their fake relationship, she realized that good luck kept coming her way. She thought they would part ways after the engagement party, but this man kept to her side. "We gotta stick together, Lindsey. Remember, I'm now your fiancé. " "Domenic, you're with me because of my money, aren't you?" Lindsey asked, narrowing her eyes at him. Domenic was taken aback by that accusation. How could he, the heir of the Walsh family and CEO of Vitality Group, be with her for money? He controlled more than half of the city's economy. Money wasn't a problem for him! The two got closer and closer. One day, Lindsey finally realized that Domenic was actually the stranger she had slept with months ago. Would this realization change things between them? For the better or worse?
On their wedding night, Rogelio wrapped his fingers around Marian's neck and spat at her, "Congratulations! From now on, you live in hell!" The reason for his wrath was that he believed she was responsible for the death of his elder brother. So, he married her but refused to touch her, determined to make her suffer for the rest of her pitiful life! However, due to an unforeseen accident, Marian was forced to sleep with Rogelio in order to save him, and she ended up getting pregnant. Concealing her pregnancy, Marian lived cautiously under Rogelio's watchful eyes. He hated her and relentlessly humiliated her, yet he would never allow anyone else to lay a finger on her— "Mr. Bailey, your wife got into a fight with someone!" Rogelio secretly took action, eliminating that person completely. "Sir, your wife claimed that all of your family's wealth belongs to her!" Rogelio quietly transferred all the shares to her. Unaware of all this, Marian only wanted to escape, but Rogelio pulled her into his warm embrace, whispering, "Mrs. Bailey, where do you intend to go with our unborn child?"
For ten years, Daniela showered her ex-husband with unwavering devotion, only to discover she was just his biggest joke. Feeling humiliated yet determined, she finally divorced him. Three months later, Daniela returned in grand style. She was now the hidden CEO of a leading brand, a sought-after designer, and a wealthy mining mogul—her success unveiled at her triumphant comeback. Her ex-husband’s entire family rushed over, desperate to beg for forgiveness and plead for another chance. Yet Daniela, now cherished by the famed Mr. Phillips, regarded them with icy disdain. "I’m out of your league."
"Sign the divorce papers and get out!" Leanna got married to pay a debt, but she was betrayed by her husband and shunned by her in-laws. Seeing that her efforts were in vain, she agreed to divorce and claimed her half of the properties. With her purse plump from the settlement, Leanna enjoyed her newfound freedom. The constant harassment from her ex's mistress never fazed her. She took back her identities as top hacker, champion racer, medical professor, and renowned jewelry designer. Then someone discovered her secret. Matthew smiled. "Will you have me as your next husband?"
Bailey seems to be never destined to fit in, a little geeky, but under it all, a hidden beauty that so many seem to miss, but still not what her pack Alpha is looking for in a fated mate... so he is determined to reject her and make her life hell. Bailey, knowing her life will likely never be the same focuses on what she can control, her future, and heads off to study; becoming a teacher. Asher is the Beta of Autumn Valley Pack, a neighbouring pack. A broken man having suffered the loss of his mate after a rogue attack, Asher is slowly crumbling. Falling to pieces. A shadow of his former self, and not a man that anyone wants to be around anymore... Until, Autumn Valley Pack require a new teacher, and Bailey finds herself there and pushed together with the Beta. Is there a connection building or is that in their imaginations? And what will happen when Bailey's mate comes back to claim what is his?